Exterior Detail - Decontaminate, Polish & Seal
What we see in Portland garages
If your interior's already fine and you just want the outside to shine, the Exterior Detail is built for that. Foam wash, full paint decontamination (iron remover and clay bar), one-step machine polish to remove light swirls, and a premium spray sealant or carnauba wax for months of beading and gloss.
How we approach it
It's the right call for cars that get garage-kept and don't need a full interior reset, or for clients who keep the inside immaculate themselves. We come to your driveway anywhere in the Portland metro - Vancouver, Camas, Beaverton, Hillsboro, Tigard, Lake Oswego or downtown Portland.
What to expect on the day
Plan on 3–5 hours depending on vehicle size and paint condition. The finish is closer to a Premium Show than a Full Detail since we skip the interior time and reinvest it into the paint.
What's included
Every job comes with the same checklist. No surprises.
- Foam pre-soak and two-bucket hand wash
- Iron-remover decontamination (rail dust, brake dust, fallout)
- Clay-bar full vehicle (paint and glass)
- One-step machine polish on every painted panel
- Wheels, barrels, wheel wells deep cleaned
- Tires, trim and exterior plastic dressed with UV protection
- Bug, sap and tar removal
- Premium sealant or carnauba wax
- All glass polished
- Door jambs, hood jamb, trunk jamb wiped
How it works
Foam and rinse
Heavy pre-soak loosens dirt before any contact wash.
Decontaminate
Iron-remover sits and rinses, then clay bar with proper lubricant on every painted surface.
Polish
One-step machine polish on every panel for clarity and gloss.
Protect
Sealant or carnauba laid down evenly, wheels sealed too if requested.
Why this matters in the Pacific Northwest
The PNW is brutal on paint
Portland and Vancouver area drivers face nine months of road grime, plus ferry and bridge salt fallout. Decontamination matters here more than in dry climates.
Why technique actually matters
Clay-bar work removes contamination you can't see but you can absolutely feel - like running your finger across sandpaper. After we clay, paint goes from rough to glass-smooth in one step.
City vs. backroad realities
If you DIY interior detailing, this is the perfect complement - you handle the inside, we handle the part that takes specialty equipment and chemistry.
What affects the price
Every property is different. These are the things we look at when we quote.
- Vehicle size
- Paint condition and decontamination level required
- Choice of sealant vs. carnauba (or a longer-term ceramic upgrade)
- Wheel-off detailing (premium upgrade)
Related services
Ready to book your detail?
Tell us your vehicle, your zip, and what kind of finish you're after. We'll come back same-day with a real quote and a slot on the calendar.